Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313 is set to deliver an explosive main event as Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira, ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound list, boasts a knockout streak of four consecutive wins, including a devastating fourth-round TKO against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Ankalaev, on the other hand, rides a 13-fight unbeaten streak, making him a formidable challenger.

How Pereira Wins

Pereira’s path to victory lies in his precision striking and range control. MMA analyst Alan Jouban emphasizes the importance of leg kicks: “If Pereira replicates his strategy against Rountree, he can compromise Ankalaev’s mobility by the third round.” Pereira’s ability to land damaging shots while keeping the fight standing could spell trouble for Ankalaev, who has shown reluctance to fully commit to his wrestling skills.

How Ankalaev Wins

Ankalaev’s success hinges on his ability to mix up his approach. Jouban advises: “Ankalaev must avoid a kickboxing match and instead use cage grappling to neutralize Pereira’s power.” By closing the distance and pressing Pereira against the fence, Ankalaev can disrupt Pereira’s rhythm and potentially secure takedowns, where he holds a significant advantage.

Betting Analysis

ESPN betting expert Ian Parker favors Ankalaev (-105) as the slight underdog. “Stylistically, Ankalaev matches well on the feet and dominates on the ground,” says Parker. “If he avoids Pereira’s early leg kicks, he has multiple paths to victory.”

Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev

In a rematch of their 2023 bout, Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev, who stepped in as a late replacement. Gaethje’s striking volume earned him a majority decision last time, but Parker believes Fiziev (-170) has the edge in a stand-up battle. “Fiziev is the superior striker, and Gaethje’s recent KO loss raises questions about his durability,” he notes.

Other Key Fights

• Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes: Bahamondes (-125) is favored in what promises to be a striking-heavy clash.
• Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan: Petrosyan (-155) is expected to outclass Ferreira with superior striking and takedown defense.

Final Predictions

• Pereira vs. Ankalaev: Pereira by knockout.
• Gaethje vs. Fiziev: Fiziev by decision.

Stay tuned for an action-packed night at UFC 313, live from T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.